Devils to use multiple coaches after firing Pete DeBoer
The Devils will use multiple coaches to lead the team after Pete DeBoer was fired on Friday, according multiple reports.
Adam Oates reportedly will coach the forwards and Scott Stevens will coach the defensemen. General manager Lou Lamoriello also said he will spend time on the bench "to make sure it works for now," according to the Associated Press.
Stevens played for the Devils for 13 seasons and became an assistant in 2012 but decided to step down in September. Oates spent two seasons as a Devils assistant before the Capitalshired him as their head coach in 2012 (he was fired in April).
Lamoriello took over as the Devils coach in April 2007 after firing Claude Julien. Lamoriello reportedly said he has not reached out to anyone else for the job. From NJ.com:
"I know it's unique, I know it's different, but in my opinion right now it's to go forward and get back to where we should be," Lamoriello said.
• Merry Christmas, Pete. You're fired!
Over three-plus seasons, DeBoer led the Devils to a 114-93-41 record. The 46-year-old led New Jersey to the Stanley Cup finals in 2012, but the team did not make the playoffs in two subsequent seasons.
New Jersey opened this season 12-17-7, the third-worst mark in the Eastern Conference and good for seventh place in the Metropolitan division. Prior to becoming the bench boss of the Devils, DeBoer coached the Florida Panthers for three seasons.
New Jersey faces the Rangers in New York on Saturday.